Contemplating a Lamm preamp...

[thesaint519]

Originally Posted by PHC1

I've had Transparent REF on loan and have tried their other various products over the years. I needed 2-50ft runs of balanced and 1-50ft run of speaker cables for the center channel not to mention the other balanced cables for the surround amps, surround speakers, etc.. It gets crazy expensive with those lengths and complexity. I've been very happy with the lower level Transparent before and the Ultra level did not let me down.

I understand. I have a pretty simple system with reasonably short runs. The ICs will run about 25', while the speaker cables can be as short as Transparent can make, as the monos are right next to each speaker. I'm starting with Transparent Reference MM1 ICs & Speaker Cable. Hopefully, it'll knock me out. I'll keep you updated.

[thesaint519]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Shindo with Tannoy was in a different room as a second system. The room where Sasha and Momentum monos is very well acoustically treated. There is a full ASC treatment in that room including iso-wall and iso-ceiling double wall method. Yes, the top end is smooth in my system. I find 99% of folks who complain about their ears hurting just don't do enough in terms of acoustics and proper system and cable matching and that goes for any brand of gear.

If something doesn't sound good in my room, then it really is crap.

I think you're my new hero. Two world class systems? Man, I'm struggling to get my only system done. When I grow up, I wanna be just like you. Well done. I love that room.

[thesaint519]

Originally Posted by PHC1

It's nuts that we promote these absurd prices by writing checks for this stuff. They will only keep making them more and more expensive.

Seriously though, Lamm is great gear and I was very, very happy with my LL2D and M1.2 combo as well.

Are you using Transparent for power cables, too?

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by thesaint519

Are you using Transparent for power cables, too?

That is next on my upgrade list!

[thesaint519]

Originally Posted by PHC1

That is next on my upgrade list!

Cool. If I get there before you, I'll let you know how much of a difference, if any, they've made.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by thesaint519

Cool. If I get there before you, I'll let you know how much of a difference, if any, they've made.

Excellent! Thanks!

[thesaint519]

Question: I've all but purchased a Lamm L2 preamp to partner with the Ref M1.2 monos. Can this two box approach be stacked to conserve rack space, or should they have their very own rack space? What's the pact on performance?

[Whart]

No. Vlad specifically warns against this. You don't want to do that for several reasons: first, the heat from the power supply tubes is substantial and the PS needs air around it to keep it relatively cool (it does get quite warm once it has been on for a while). Second, that PS is separated from the audio circuitry for a reason- you want to keep the transformer and all the AC crap that the PS emits as far away from the low level circuitry as possible.
You also have to play a little with cable dressing. The power umbilical is sorta in the middle of things and it is easy enough to route away from all your signal cables. I use one of those cable elevator things that looks like an old fashioned ceramic insulator- I put the umbilical on it and route it to the side of my rack, so it doesn't get near the outputs or inputs. I'm using a Grand Prix Monaco two shelf rack with some of the bells and whistles, like the carbon shelf and the footers. You occasionally find them used and that will make the price of one less painful. I use a couple of those Walker lead discs to damp the audio circuit cabinet and because the Monaco has dampers that are specific for the weight of a particular component I don't use any other isolation. Others use other things for isolation, i think SRA or HRS stuff, none of which is particularly cheap. Run the unit 'direct' (you will see the switch set up, it becomes obvious once you get past the beginning phase) and leave it on all the time (which Vlad recommends). You have to replace the PS tubes every year, whether or not you run it constantly, so by leaving it on (the only time i pull power to it is when I am away for an extended period, or when there are electrical storms), it will sound better. Remember, even though it has tubes in the power supply, it is essentially a SS preamp. Mine just got back from Vlad's after a repair. He upgraded all the switches to newer lower noise ones he prefers, and did a general 'tune up' in addition to fixing the problem i had- which was a pronounced transformer mechanical hum from the PS, which started to show up as a low level 60hz hum in the system. He even asked if I had stacked the units as a possible cause, so it just reinforces the advice above. The thing is pretty much dead quiet now, if you put your ear next to the PS when there is no music on, you can hear a slight mechanical buzz which diminishes as the unit stays powered on. Through the system, however, it is dead quiet, and i am using 104db or whatever efficient horns, so I can hear low level noise you would never hear on a system with typically less efficient speakers.
It is a great sounding line stage to mate with his amps.
You should enjoy it.

[thesaint519]

Originally Posted by Whart

No. Vlad specifically warns against this. You don't want to do that for several reasons: first, the heat from the power supply tubes is substantial and the PS needs air around it to keep it relatively cool (it does get quite warm once it has been on for a while). Second, that PS is separated from the audio circuitry for a reason- you want to keep the transformer and all the AC crap that the PS emits as far away from the low level circuitry as possible.
You also have to play a little with cable dressing. The power umbilical is sorta in the middle of things and it is easy enough to route away from all your signal cables. I use one of those cable elevator things that looks like an old fashioned ceramic insulator- I put the umbilical on it and route it to the side of my rack, so it doesn't get near the outputs or inputs. I'm using a Grand Prix Monaco two shelf rack with some of the bells and whistles, like the carbon shelf and the footers. You occasionally find them used and that will make the price of one less painful. I use a couple of those Walker lead discs to damp the audio circuit cabinet and because the Monaco has dampers that are specific for the weight of a particular component I don't use any other isolation. Others use other things for isolation, i think SRA or HRS stuff, none of which is particularly cheap. Run the unit 'direct' (you will see the switch set up, it becomes obvious once you get past the beginning phase) and leave it on all the time (which Vlad recommends). You have to replace the PS tubes every year, whether or not you run it constantly, so by leaving it on (the only time i pull power to it is when I am away for an extended period, or when there are electrical storms), it will sound better. Remember, even though it has tubes in the power supply, it is essentially a SS preamp. Mine just got back from Vlad's after a repair. He upgraded all the switches to newer lower noise ones he prefers, and did a general 'tune up' in addition to fixing the problem i had- which was a pronounced transformer mechanical hum from the PS, which started to show up as a low level 60hz hum in the system. He even asked if I had stacked the units as a possible cause, so it just reinforces the advice above. The thing is pretty much dead quiet now, if you put your ear next to the PS when there is no music on, you can hear a slight mechanical buzz which diminishes as the unit stays powered on. Through the system, however, it is dead quiet, and i am using 104db or whatever efficient horns, so I can hear low level noise you would never hear on a system with typically less efficient speakers.
It is a great sounding line stage to mate with his amps.
You should enjoy it.

That's real good info. Thanks.

[thesaint519]

Has anyone used HRS damping plates and/or Nimbus with an L2? Curious to find out their impact on the L2 performance.